Empowering Moms: From Corporate to Home Business Success

 

It can be tough for today's working mums, struggling to juggle the demands of working and raising their families.  Often becoming a parent, raises the desire for many women to seek work from home ideas and business ideas for mums.

 

The biggest motivation for many working mums, is to gain the freedom and flexibility that can't easily be found in the corporate work place. But can women really have it all? 

 

Important Research by the London School of Economics & Political Science suggests that they can.  According to this study by the LSE, a new league of enterprising female entrepreneurs has emerged, labeled, ‘Kitchen Table Tycoons,’ who are successfully juggling the roles of mother and magnate.

 

These are the stay at home mom entrepreneurs making their baby business ideas a firm and succesful reality.

 

One such enterprising Stay at Home Mum Entrepreneur, is Natasha Poffley, who started her own home-based Baby Business, The English Charm Company, in 2014.

 

I was curious to discover what motivated Natasha to start her work from Home Business and how she came up with the idea for The English Charm Company.  Natasha explained that she was previously a European Product Marketing Manager for a multi-national business, which involved a lot of travel.  Natasha’s career had always been important to her, but after having her two children, she decided she wanted to work from home and pursue her own home business idea.

 

Natasha explained; "Whatever Home Business Idea I decided upon, would need to fit around my two children. I didn’t want to go back to working 8am – 8pm every day, with lots of travelling."  Natasha added:  "I wanted stay at home with my children AND earn money, so I could go to school plays, assembly’s, read to the children in class and help out on school trips."

 

Most importantly, Natasha said that she wanted the flexibility to be there to take and collect her children from School. "I didn’t want to have a Nanny to do that for me, because this time with my children is precious!  You can’t get the time back!"

 

Natasha's sentiments are echoed among the many hundreds of women that I have helped start in Business and it is therefore, not surprising that this new league of ‘Kitchen Table Tycoons’ is having such a positive impact on the economy.

 

The findings of the report by the LSE, show that female entrepreneurs are making a tangible impact on the British Economy, with a combined turnover of £4.4 billion, exceeding some FTSE 100 companies.

 

I was intrigued to discover what level of research Natasha undertook, before starting her Home Business. She explained,  “I began researching Business Ideas for Mums working from home.  I’d had casts taken of my children’s feet when they were 7 weeks old and I always loved the idea of capturing such a special moment in time. Then, I fell in love with the idea of capturing a child’s handprint or fingerprint in pure Fine Silver and I knew that was the Stay at Home Business for me!”

 

Natasha explained that she began researching Fingerprint Jewellery Franchises, but then discovered The Craft Ecademy who offered a range of flexible Training Courses and Business Support Services which would teach her everything she needed to know.

 

"The training was brilliant!  Natasha enthused, "Michelle is a great teacher, who works to a very high standard.  I found that infectious and I wanted to work to those same high standards too."  Natasha continues, "The Support from www.thecraftecademy.co.uk is excellent! I had ful access to the Online Courses, Training Materials and help-desk and it was very reassuring to be able to log-in and refresh my memory on any aspects I wasn’t quite sure of. Michelle is always there to help guide and support you too.”

 

Natasha is also an Accredited member of The Keepsake Guild, which she say's she has found invaluable.  "It’s great for sharing ideas, asking questions and generally feeling as if you are part of a team."  Natasha continues, “When you first start up a business, it can be quite lonely and you’re never sure if you’re doing the right thing.  As part of The Keepsake Guild it's reassuring to know you have someone to turn to, whether it's about making the jewellery itself, or general business and marketing advice."

 

As part of The Keepsake Guild, Natasha explains, “You also have access to special rates for branding, website and help with Marketing.  This is essential, when you start up this type of business."  Natasha’s Website was developed by The Keepsake Guild and includes an estore, so that customers can buy online. “I felt it was important to show customers how easy it was to buy online, as well as in person, says Natasha, “I send customers a simple kit with every purchase and include personalised instructions on how to take the prints."

 

Since starting her Stay at Home Business, Natasha has become an active and valued member of The Keepsake Guild, which now boasts almost 100 Members worldwide. Natasha has progressed to become one of The Keepsake Guild’s highly respected Accredited Members and Accredited Trainers, which is an accolade that can only be earned by few.

 

"I love to come up with new ideas, says Natasha, "whether it relates to marketing my products or new product ideas and designs.  I really pride myself on producing high quality products and delivering excellent service."

 

Natasha reveals;  “Starting a Home business can be daunting because you don’t know if it will work, or if you’re doing the right thing. You need to be very hard working and motivated because It takes time to build brand awareness and for your website to be found in search engines.  Customers also need to gain trust in your brand, so you need to invest time and effort into your marketing. I believe, if you are passionate about what you do, this will come through in your work and it will pay off."

 

Since starting her Business in 2014, Natasha has achieved an incredible amount of success!  She explains; "I have created a Business and Brand from scratch, designed my website, including all of the content, I go to as many fairs and toddler groups as I can and also do a lot of networking on Social Media.” Natasha has also recently been selected to display her products in her local shopping centre, which she says is bringing her invaluable marketing exposure.

 

Over the next 12 months, Natasha says she intends to grow her business and gain more brand awareness. “I will learn new techniques and introduce new ideas to keep fresh and ever evolving,” she says.  “As part of my continuing progression, I have also registered for Hallmarking, so that I am able to offer larger items such as Bookmarks, Key-rings and descending Pendants."

 

Having personally seen the quality of Natasha’s work and witnessed the passion and dedication she has invested into her Home Business, I’m confident that Natasha, is one ‘Kitchen Table Tycoon' who they'll be no stopping!

 

To find out more about Natasha and The English Charm Company, please follow the link below to view her Keepsake Guild Profile and to discover any local events that she will be attending:

 

 

If you’re inspired by this story and are interested in joining the growing league of inspiring stay at home Mom Entrepreneurs, please download our FREE Guide on starting your own Creative Stay at Home Business.